Serving Texas's IDD waivers means earning HHSC program-provider certification, working through your LIDDA for enrollment and planning, meeting the HCS/TxHmL rules (26 TAC Chapter 565 and 559), and enrolling with Texas Medicaid so you can bill. Here is the whole path, in order.
Texas serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waivers, both administered by HHSC. Decide which services you will offer — residential (host home/companion care and 3- and 4-person group homes), day habilitation, supported employment, respite, and so on — because that shapes your certification and staffing.
HCS and TxHmL providers must be certified by HHSC as a program provider. Expect governance and ownership disclosures, background and registry checks, and the policies and procedures required under 26 TAC Chapter 565 (HCS) and Chapter 559 (TxHmL) before you can serve individuals.
In Texas, service coordination runs through the Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). Individuals reach your services through the LIDDA and the state interest list, and the LIDDA Service Coordinator drives Person-Directed Planning (PDP) — which then feeds each person's Individual Plan of Care (IPC).
HHSC conducts a certification review against the HCS/TxHmL rules, including compliance with the federal HCBS Settings Rule for provider-owned residential settings. This confirms your setting, documentation, and supports meet Texas and federal standards before ongoing services begin.
Certification alone does not let you bill. To receive payment you must enroll with Texas Medicaid (TMHP) and set up Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for services that require it. Certification and Medicaid enrollment are separate steps — you need both.
Direct support staff must complete pre-service training before working independently with individuals, and providers must confirm competency and keep training current (26 TAC Chapter 565). This is exactly what DSPlife™ TrainingHub handles — a ready-to-assign Texas HCS course library, competency tracking, expiration alerts, and audit-ready records for HHSC reviews.
Both are HHSC-administered Medicaid waivers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. HCS offers a fuller array of services including residential options; TxHmL provides a smaller set of supports for people who live in their own or their family’s home. Providers are certified for the programs they choose to deliver.
Yes — they are separate. HHSC certification confirms you meet the HCS/TxHmL program rules (26 TAC Chapters 565 and 559). Enrolling with Texas Medicaid (TMHP), plus EVV where required, is what lets you bill for services. You need both before you can serve and get paid.
The Local IDD Authority handles enrollment, service coordination, and Person-Directed Planning. Individuals reach your services through the LIDDA and the state interest list, and the LIDDA Service Coordinator coordinates the PDP that drives each person’s Individual Plan of Care.
Staff must complete pre-service training before working independently — covering individual rights, abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting, person-directed planning, medication administration where applicable, and critical incident reporting — and the provider must document competency and keep training current under 26 TAC Chapter 565.
This guide is general information, not legal or regulatory advice. DSPlife™ TrainingHub is not affiliated with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Always confirm current requirements at hhs.texas.gov.
TrainingHub ships with a Texas HCS course library your staff can complete on their own schedule, tracks pre-service and competency requirements, and alerts you before anything lapses. Free to start — no credit card required.
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